Councillor insists kitchen comment was not derogatory

A Spelthorne Borough councillor has denied he was being derogatory when he said women "spent a lot of time in the kitchen"

A sexism row was narrowly averted after a Conservative councillor said women "spend a lot of time in the kitchen".

The comment, which the councillor defended afterwards as not being "intentionally derogatory", sparked a hasty retreat from planning committee chairman Richard Smith-Ainsley in order to "clear ourselves in case we get accused of anything".

The throwback remark was made by Cllr Robin Sider, a retired major who served in the army from 1955 to 1997 and was first elected in 1999.

During a discussion over whether a proposed house development would obscure views from a neighbouring kitchen, Cllr Sider added to the debate by saying: “And also, a lot of women – they do spend a lot of time in the kitchen.”

The remark prompted quick clarification from Cllr Smith-Ainsley, who said: “I think just to clear ourselves, in case we get accused of anything, your comment about all women like to spend all their time in the kitchen I think needs to be rephrased.”

He added: “Otherwise I might have to sit up here next month doing apologies to all the women and gentlemen who objected.”

He continued: “So ladies and gentlemen both like spending time in the kitchen,” before ending: “Ok, I think that will cover that.”

Speaking next in the debate was Cllr Denise Saliagopoulos, who made her stance clear: “I can assure you, chairman, I don’t spend all my time in the kitchen and if my husband comes home from work and he can’t smell burning, he knows it’s salad.”

Speaking to the Herald & News , Cllr Sider denied that it was a derogatory remark.

“I’ve not done anything wrong, a lot of ladies do spend a lot of time in the kitchen,” he said. “It was just a comment, which lots of people make.

“Lots of ladies spend a lot of time in the kitchen. My wife, Janette, spends a lot of time in the kitchen making and baking."

“I didn’t intend any harm – I’m not that sort of person, and you know that,” he added. “It wasn’t a derogatory remark, not at all.”

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She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.